Chapter 131: Chapter 131: Press On and You Shall Arrive
’If you win, I’ll give you the position of Prison Chief?’
’This young man truly doesn’t know his own limits, daring to spout such nonsense at the Qi Blood Fifth Realm!’
Although he, Zhu Qirong, hadn’t stepped into the Qi Blood Sixth Layer, his strength was absolutely not something a newcomer to the Qi Blood Fifth Layer could challenge.
To be honest, Chen Ping’an’s words had tempted Zhu Qirong for a moment.
"Lord Chen, the position of Prison Chief carries great responsibility. How can it be tossed about so casually? Please, my lord, stop teasing me."
In the end, Zhu Qirong held himself back.
Today was Chen Ping’an’s first day in office. If a major incident were to occur today, he, the Vice Prison Chief, would definitely suffer the consequences.
’There are plenty of ways to undermine his authority. I don’t need to get personally involved on the very first day and blow things out of proportion.’
’There’s plenty of time. I can take it slow.’
"Oh?"
Chen Ping’an glanced at Zhu Qirong with a smile on his face, but there was no trace of mirth in his eyes.
"Lord Chu, my offer stands. Feel free to come to me whenever you’re interested."
Hearing this, Zhu Qirong lowered his head and repeatedly said he wouldn’t dare.
He hadn’t expected Chen Ping’an to pull a move like this.
At this moment, even though he was filled with indignation, he could only suppress it.
With the protocol of it being the first day in office, he couldn’t just flip the table and talk back, no matter what.
It would be one thing if he truly couldn’t defeat Chen Ping’an. But in his eyes, this superior of his was just a fragile vase raised in a greenhouse—possessing a Martial Arts Realm but lacking much actual combat experience.
As for the Zuo Wumei incident?
’That was just a stroke of luck.’
Seeing Zhu Qirong bow his head in submission, Chen Ping’an didn’t press the issue further.
Chen Ping’an surveyed his surroundings and, as was customary, offered some words of encouragement to the constables.
Chen Ping’an’s performance didn’t cause much of a stir among some of the constables. They were all old hands from the Garrison Commandant’s Office; words like these could only fool the young ones.
"I have just arrived, so all rules will remain as they have been. Report any special matters now. If there are none, this meeting is dismissed!"
This statement from Chen Ping’an put many of the constables at ease.
These constables didn’t care who their superior was; their main worry was a new boss coming in and making drastic reforms, disrupting the well-established system.
Chen Ping’an’s words had eliminated their biggest fear.
The South City Prison saw a constant flow of people coming and going. Things like prison visits, procurement, and greasing palms—which of these didn’t require silver coins?
Working here was a bit tough, but the perks were substantial.
As the saying goes, the King of the Underworld is easy to meet, but his little demons are hard to deal with.
The Prison Guards at the bottom came up with all sorts of ways to embezzle silver coins.
If someone was imprisoned for a crime, and their family didn’t bribe the right people, the inmate inside would probably struggle to even get daily food and water.
In just a few days, a perfectly healthy man would likely become listless and weak, his breath as faint as a thread.
After Chen Ping’an finished his speech, the Prison Guards of the South City Prison dispersed in an orderly fashion.
"Lord Chen, since things are settled, it’s time for me to be heading back."
Pang Miao said, taking his leave from Chen Ping’an.
"Lord Pang, why don’t you stay a little longer? We could have a few drinks tonight?"
Chen Ping’an invited with a smile.
"I appreciate the kind offer, Lord Chen. However, I am busy with official duties. Let’s get together next time we have a chance."
Pang Miao said with a smile.
He had just unwittingly watched a drama unfold and needed to go back and mull it over. From what he had just seen, this Chen Ping’an fellow probably had some skill.
Zhu Qirong wanted to usurp his superior and get the better of Lord Chen, but even with Fu Yuanming’s support, it probably wouldn’t be that easy.
Since Pang Miao insisted, Chen Ping’an didn’t press him further and personally saw him off.
"Lord Chen, I still have official business to attend to. If you have no other orders, then I will take my leave."
Zhu Qirong said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
With no one else around, he was in no mood to put on an act for Chen Ping’an.
Chen Ping’an said nothing, his gaze falling upon Zhu Qirong.
’When the chief takes office, the second-in-command is supposed to accompany him, familiarizing him with official duties and personnel. What reason could he have to leave first?’
’This Zhu Qirong is being too obvious.’
’But being obvious is fine. It will make dealing with him later much cleaner.’
"The official business can wait. First, accompany me on a tour of the grounds."
’Trying to leave? What a joke!’
’If the chief takes office without even his Deputy Officer by his side, what authority would I have left in the eyes of the other Prison Guards?’
"Before you took office, my lord, I handled all corresponding duties. Now that you have arrived, I need to sort out these duties as soon as possible to hand them over to you. This matter is truly urgent, so please forgive me for being unable to accompany you."
Zhu Qirong refused him outright.
"Hm?"
Chen Ping’an frowned.
Zhu Qirong was not the least bit afraid, meeting his gaze directly.
"Lord Chu, as the Deputy Officer of the South City Prison, your greatest duty is to assist me in managing this prison properly. Since I have a request, you should cooperate fully. What reason is there to shirk and refuse!"
Chen Ping’an’s gaze was sharp, his tone leaving no room for refusal.
Not wanting to completely tear away all pretenses with Chen Ping’an on his first day, Zhu Qirong could only pinch his nose and accept it. He accompanied Chen Ping’an on a tour of the South City Prison, introducing the personnel to him.
Prisoners were held in different areas depending on the severity of their crimes.
The South City Prison had three levels. Those with light sentences were held on the ground floor. More serious offenders were on the first basement level. The most severe cases were imprisoned on the lowest level.
Each prison level had several dedicated posts, each manned by a squad of Prison Guards. The guards worked in rotating shifts, twenty-four hours a day without interruption.
In addition, there were dedicated patrols, ensuring proper defense to prevent any incidents.
It could be described as heavily guarded, a fortress of iron.
Chen Ping’an spent the entire afternoon familiarizing himself with the environment and personnel. All the Prison Guards and constables of the South City Prison now knew that a new chief named Chen Ping’an had officially taken office today.
Watching Zhu Qirong’s reluctant and resentful manner as he gave the tour, Chen Ping’an felt quite pleased.
Once he had a general understanding of the South City Prison’s environment and personnel, Chen Ping’an let Zhu Qirong go.
That day, Zhu Qirong left work right on time, showing no sign of the "busy official duties" he had mentioned to Chen Ping’an earlier.
Sitting in the Prison Chief’s office, Chen Ping’an watched Zhu Qirong’s retreating figure through the window as he left for the day, his eyes narrowing slightly.
This Zhu Qirong was merely a pawn; he didn’t even register in his eyes.
Just a mere Qi Blood Fifth Layer Perfection. He wouldn’t be able to stir up any real trouble.
The one he truly needed to pay attention to was the person behind Zhu Qirong: the Vice Director of the Southern Town Governor’s Office, Fu Yuanming!
Fu Yuanming, a veteran master of the Inner Qi Realm. As things stood, facing Fu Yuanming directly would still be quite challenging.
’It seems my strength is still insufficient! I need to continue my Cultivation!’
’The day I can truly do as I please, without any reservations, is the day my Cultivation has reached its end.’
A light gleamed in Chen Ping’an’s eyes. He lifted his head, gazing at the gray-black stone wall.
"The path is long and arduous, but with every step, the destination draws nearer!"
"That day will come!"
